A rotted rear diff housing on a 2018 GM product.

[GON]

So did Mercedes go back and change all the metal on the 1999-2002 cars?

I don't recall if Mercedes did a recall or what. I all knew was to avoid at all costs a 1999-2002 W220 S-class because of the rust situation.

 

[SHOZ]

This anything like Fords oil pans rusting out? oth my Hyundais got some sort of rust recall or TSB.

 

[Trav]

right so salt does not effect Mercedes metal, but GM metal, got it.

Some companies use much better sheet steel, it resist corrosion well even uncoated or plated. When I do bonded non structural rust repairs I use aluminized sheet metal, the stuff is so easy to form and does not rust. The sheet metal place I use has a sheet metal similar to A606 for welded repairs. Yes GM, Ford and others uses cheap arse sheet metal. I have a 25 year old VW that has never missed a harsh winter and has no rust over or under and it doesnt get much washing. Anyone doing rust repairs should look at this stuff, it is not cheap but if you want it to last this will.

https://www.eastwood.com/patch-panel-kit-20-ga-aluminized-steel.html

For those interested in spec, this is A606.

Chemical Composition

The following composition properties are ASTM specifications for these A606 grades. Note that Type IV may contain additional alloy elements to resist corrosion at the discretion of the manufacturer.

Type II & IV
Carbon	0.22%
Manganese	1.25%
Sulfur	0.04%
Copper	0.20% min

Type V
Carbon	0.09%
Manganese	0.70-0.95%
Phosphorus	0.025%
Sulfur	0.010%
Silicon	0.40%
Nickel	0.52-0.76%
Chromium	0.30%
Copper	0.65-0.98%
Titanium	0.015%
Vanadium	0.015%
Niobium	0.08%

​

 

[edyvw]

I

Look, dont come of like I know nothing of winter......I lived in NE Wyoming for 2 years, where it is way colder than where you are constantly...by at least 20 degrees if not more. In NC, it gets in the negatives here in the winter sparingly, but in the mountains, in gets negative quite a bit this past winter -10 was reached several times., and its humid, where you are it is not, no issue for machines, but big difference in how it feels. We get ice storms here that disable towns. So lets not go down that road.

They salt the roads constantly all around that area. And the vehicles there are rust buckets.

i lived in southeast. I lived in South Carolina and spent great amount of time in NC, winter or summer.
That is, for the lack of better word, an attempt of winter.

 

[I<3oil]

And? Are you saying that is a long time for a vehicle to be on the road?

A few is considered 2-4.

 

[ctechbob]

This is a far more frightening concern with corrosion.



This one will put you in the weeds.

It is nice though that it doesn't seem to nuke any modules when the ground goes. That would be a good feeling to think you were about to be out thousands and only be out a couple bucks for a new ground wire.

 

[Delta]

I do believe the above posters are correct about Euro manufactures and rust prevention. I had a 2008 Jetta that was originally from New York then traveled it's way to Georgia where I picked it up. Then traveled with me back to PA and saw some more winter. Not any rust underneath; it was amazing. Have a '16 Jetta now that has been in PA all its life and is really clean underneath. I mean, there's an oil leak from the oil separator so that helps, but yea

Our old '15 Camry rusted around the spot welds on the sub frame in a couple years, nothing like that on my VW's. Had a '99 S10 that I was always battling rust. Let's not forget my '09 Tacoma that I had to get rid of due in part to the frame rusting and the extended warranty running out.

 

[SHOZ]

Every Ford I ever had would rust under the drivers seat where there were three layers of steel coming together. And their unprotected rear brake lines.

My Hyundai Accent came with a rino liner like bottom treatment painted body color. Still in good shape 15 years later. What failed on it were the body seams. The seam sealer dried out and pulled away.